Principles of Grassroots Fundraising
By Anders Zanichkowsky, Ride Coordinator
Whether you're a Rider competing for the most money raised or a Crew member looking to get a few smaller donations, the following three principles are key to successful fundraising: Attitude, Community, Creativity.
ATTITUDE – Really, it's all about generosity.
Rule #1: Be a generous recipient.
Give donors information – about the AIDS Network, the impact of HIV/AIDS on our community, and your personal connection to this cause. Everyone can feel included in this mission, whatever their role in the Ride.
Give people easy ways to make donations. Suggest a specific amount for them to donate based on what you think they can afford. Make it easy for them to find your fundraising website. If they have questions about ways to donate, walk them through their options; make them feel comfortable with whatever type of payment they choose. Keep your focus on having a pleasant, friendly interaction.
Give donors your thanks -- and give the same thanks no matter how big or small their donation.
Give people other ways to help out if they can't donate money, or can't donate a lot of money. Thank them anyway and ask if they would like to pass your fundraising letter on to a friend or family member. Maybe they would be willing to make an in-kind donation to your fundraiser, or bring 5 of their friends to your event, or get involved with the Ride as a day volunteer.
Rule #2: Assume generosity in your donors.
When you ask for donations to the ACT Ride, you are asking people to make a meaningful connection to people living with HIV/AIDS. Some of your donors might not think HIV/AIDS is an issue that directly impacts them, while others may have more to give, or more of a connection to the cause, than you think they do. Some may be confronting stigmas that prevent open communication about HIV/AIDS in our communities. What will overcome potential barriers? It is my experience that when we assume generosity, people respond by giving whatever they can. Just like when we assume good intentions, people respond at their best, and when we assume a desire for education and change, people happily to open their minds to learning more.
The ACT Ride is about connecting people – your connection with donors lets the AIDS Network connect to its clients. In turn, all of us connect to stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS, and to supporting people who live with HIV/AIDS. The best way to fuel that momentum is to talk to people about your connection to this mission and what you gain from doing this work, and then give them ways to be included themselves.
COMMUNITY – "We all do better when we all do better."
Fundraising for the ACT Ride can bring you closer to people who donate. But what about making connections to other ACT participants, and avoiding competition? Here are simple ways you can stay in touch and share skills:
- Get the word out and check in often. It's better for everyone when similar events are booked on separate days. If you have posters for your event, send some to the AN for us to put up, and always look for new information when you stop by. Send information about your events for publication in the e-newsletter and keep yourself up-to-date with the event links on the Wisconsin AIDS Ride Facebook group. Also, don't forget about fundraisers being put on by the AIDS Network itself, such as Camp Bingo and the Red Ribbon Affair!
- Schedule a letter writing session for yourself and other ACT participants. Host one at your house or a library where everyone can write, e-mail or print and mail everything at once. Make it a potluck or go out for lunch afterwards! If you'd like more ACT folks to be there, publish it like you would a fundraising event and meet some new people.
- Come up with a dollar amount that you can personally donate to other people's sponsorships and encourage others to do the same. Let people know the amount and how it will be divided – will you give $5 to 10 different riders over the summer, first-come-first-serve? Will you give away your whole $100 to the first person who hosts an event with a super hero theme? Whatever the amount, however it's divided, you can use this as a way to challenge and support others to meet or exceed their fundraising goals..
CREATIVITY – Put the FUN in fundraising!
Every year ACT participants come up with brand new themes, events and strategies for their fundraising. To get in on the action, talk to other participants, call up your SC contact and definitely check out the Fundraising Guide!
